My Lords, I am pleased to support Amendment 1, in the name of the noble Lord, Lord McColl. I continue to be concerned about the lack of regard for the respondent demonstrated in this legislation.

In the first instance, respondents lose their right to contest the divorce and thus, in an...

My Lords, I am pleased to support Amendment 1, in the name of the noble Lord, Lord McColl. I continue to be concerned about the lack of regard for the respondent demonstrated in this legislation.

In the first instance, respondents lose their right to contest the divorce and thus, in an...

Moved by

Baroness Howe of Idlicote

5: After Clause 1, insert the following new Clause—

“Information to be provided

The Lord Chancellor must ensure that individuals applying for a divorce order who have children under the age of 18 are provided with a concise statement of the main findings from the relevant social science...

Moved by

Baroness Howe of Idlicote

5: After Clause 1, insert the following new Clause—

“Information to be provided

The Lord Chancellor must ensure that individuals applying for a divorce order who have children under the age of 18 are provided with a concise statement of the main findings from the relevant social science...

My Lords, in Committee we had a useful debate on the impact of the Bill on children. The amendment I moved on that occasion required that the best interests of children should be considered in the divorce process. In his response, the Minister said, among other things:

“I understand why some...

My Lords, in Committee we had a useful debate on the impact of the Bill on children. The amendment I moved on that occasion required that the best interests of children should be considered in the divorce process. In his response, the Minister said, among other things:

“I understand why some...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate. I am again pleased that we have had such a focused discussion on the implications of this legislation for children. We had an important one in Committee, but this was more widely spread. I am afraid...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate. I am again pleased that we have had such a focused discussion on the implications of this legislation for children. We had an important one in Committee, but this was more widely spread. I am afraid...

Moved by

Baroness Howe of Idlicote

15: Before Clause 6, insert the following new Clause—

“Report on the effect on children of divorce or dissolution in families with low conflict

(1) The Secretary of State must publish a report on the impact of divorce or dissolution on children of a marriage or civil partnership...

Moved by

Baroness Howe of Idlicote

15: Before Clause 6, insert the following new Clause—

“Report on the effect on children of divorce or dissolution in families with low conflict

(1) The Secretary of State must publish a report on the impact of divorce or dissolution on children of a marriage or civil partnership...

My Lords, in response to my amendment on children in Committee, the Minister said:

“Divorce, at least in terms of the legal process, is of limited duration”.—[Official Report, 3/3/20; col. 549.]

It may be seen in those terms by parents but I suggest to the Minister that that is not the case...

My Lords, in response to my amendment on children in Committee, the Minister said:

“Divorce, at least in terms of the legal process, is of limited duration”.—[Official Report, 3/3/20; col. 549.]

It may be seen in those terms by parents but I suggest to the Minister that that is not the case...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate and I am not at all surprised that there is evidence which suggests that reducing conflict is a good thing for children. Indeed, it would be surprising if it did not, and certainly it is not...

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate and I am not at all surprised that there is evidence which suggests that reducing conflict is a good thing for children. Indeed, it would be surprising if it did not, and certainly it is not...

My Lords, I am pleased to speak in support of Amendment 1 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord McColl, which I very much hope the Minister accepts. This amendment has two important virtues.

First, as has been noted, it creates an environment for the 20-week period during which there...

My Lords, I am pleased to speak in support of Amendment 1 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord McColl, which I very much hope the Minister accepts. This amendment has two important virtues.

First, as has been noted, it creates an environment for the 20-week period during which there...

My Lords, I shall also speak to my Amendment 14 to Clause 3.

At Second Reading, I expressed concerns about how the proposals in this Bill would bring a profound shift in power from the respondent to the petitioner, because they propose that the petitioner should be able to initiate the...

My Lords, I shall also speak to my Amendment 14 to Clause 3.

At Second Reading, I expressed concerns about how the proposals in this Bill would bring a profound shift in power from the respondent to the petitioner, because they propose that the petitioner should be able to initiate the...

I entirely and completely agree with the noble Lord.

I entirely and completely agree with the noble Lord.

My Lords, I am most grateful to all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate, which has been extremely interesting and wide-ranging. Despite what has been said, the role of children and the effect on them of divorce proceedings would not have had anything like the prominence that...

My Lords, I am most grateful to all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate, which has been extremely interesting and wide-ranging. Despite what has been said, the role of children and the effect on them of divorce proceedings would not have had anything like the prominence that...

It would be desirable to have some meetings. Under the circumstances, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

It would be desirable to have some meetings. Under the circumstances, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Moved by

Baroness Howe of Idlicote

2: Clause 1, page 1, line 12, at end insert “first consider whether a divorce order is in the interests of any child of the family and, if the court is satisfied that it is, then”

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment would require the courts to take the...

Moved by

Baroness Howe of Idlicote

2: Clause 1, page 1, line 12, at end insert “first consider whether a divorce order is in the interests of any child of the family and, if the court is satisfied that it is, then”

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment would require the courts to take the...

Moved by

Baroness Howe of Idlicote (CB)

10: After Clause 1, insert the following new Clause—

“Recording lack of consent

After section 1 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (divorce on breakdown of marriage) insert—

“1A Supplemental provision in cases where one party does not consent

(1) In the case of an application by only one...

Moved by

Baroness Howe of Idlicote (CB)

10: After Clause 1, insert the following new Clause—

“Recording lack of consent

After section 1 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (divorce on breakdown of marriage) insert—

“1A Supplemental provision in cases where one party does not consent

(1) In the case of an application by only one...

My Lords, the modest but important point of this amendment would be to permit a spouse who does not want to divorce to have that fact placed on the public record. As I explained at Second Reading, I am concerned that this Bill facilitates a significant shift in power from...

My Lords, the modest but important point of this amendment would be to permit a spouse who does not want to divorce to have that fact placed on the public record. As I explained at Second Reading, I am concerned that this Bill facilitates a significant shift in power from...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for what he has said. It is a probing amendment and has afforded me an opportunity to make an important point about speaking up for the respondent. I will reflect on the Minister’s response but, for the moment, I beg leave to...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for what he has said. It is a probing amendment and has afforded me an opportunity to make an important point about speaking up for the respondent. I will reflect on the Minister’s response but, for the moment, I beg leave to...

My Lords, I too congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Hunt, on her excellent maiden speech and welcome her to our Cross Benches.

I shall concentrate on two issues: first, the place of children within the divorce process anticipated by the Bill and the need to uphold their best interests throughout; and,...

My Lords, I too congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Hunt, on her excellent maiden speech and welcome her to our Cross Benches.

I shall concentrate on two issues: first, the place of children within the divorce process anticipated by the Bill and the need to uphold their best interests throughout; and,...

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) prosecutions, and (2) convictions have been made under section 62 of the Coroner and Justice Act 2009 in the last five financial years.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) prosecutions, and (2) convictions have been made under section 62 of the Coroner and Justice Act 2009 in the last five financial years.

My Lords, in my contribution to the debate on the gracious Speech I want to address two pressing online safety concerns which I very much hope the Government will address during this Parliament: adult content filters and the need to bring online enforcement standards into line with offline enforcement standards.

The...

My Lords, in my contribution to the debate on the gracious Speech I want to address two pressing online safety concerns which I very much hope the Government will address during this Parliament: adult content filters and the need to bring online enforcement standards into line with offline enforcement standards.

The...

My Lords, last year Canada followed Holland and legalised assisted suicide and euthanasia. Reports emerging from Canada suggest that the outcome is likely to be similar. There are also reports that, after only six months, campaign groups were pressing for relaxation of the rules.

We are told there has been no...

My Lords, last year Canada followed Holland and legalised assisted suicide and euthanasia. Reports emerging from Canada suggest that the outcome is likely to be similar. There are also reports that, after only six months, campaign groups were pressing for relaxation of the rules.

We are told there has been no...